When a light goes out, we find ourselves in a new unspeakable darkness, haunted by the confusing after-images of the light that once shone and now shines no more. Our eyes try to adjust, but the light that illumines us is not the light that once was and grew used to: the world seems darker and different and alien.
Yes, there are other lights in the world which burn as brightly in the darkness but it is not the same. We have to live in the darker world. It may still be possible to discern the world's beauty in this dimmer light. It takes time and patient suffering to deal with the plethora of repetitions of the after-images which will fade in time, but thankfully never really go away.
Inspired by your very thoughtful words:
ReplyDeleteDimness in the Midst of Brightness
Seeking for the light we thought had gone,
searching for remembered brilliance,
walking in the darkness of a dimming world,
peering through the gloom to see …
… to see what beauties have not vanished,
to behold what glories yet remain,
to know and love the beauty in the darkness,
repeating images of what has been …
… of what has been and has not ceased to be,
that seems to vanish in the gathering darkness.
seems to fade as time unceasing goes on by,
appears to be withdrawing slowly into nothing …
… but in the nothing shines the Light Eternal,
whether seen or not it never dims,
never fades nor loses any of its glory,
for seen or not its brightness is forever …
… and forever when our eyes are opened we shall see
and bathed in uncreated Light that fills our spirit,
reflecting glamour coming from His Face.
we shall see and know what we seek only dimly …
… in the brightness that shall never end.
----------ed pacht, February 8, 2010
Thank you poetreader for the beautiful response to the original post by Warwickensis. gracie
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gracie.
ReplyDeleteJonathan has a way of getting my thoughts going. He's inspired quite a few of my poems.
ed